The app, also offered to Smart’s TALK and TEXT subscribers, provides free access to basic Internet services, including BabyCenter, Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action — MAMA Global, The Girl Effect and Facts for Life.

We’re one step closer to connecting the world as we launched Internet.org in the Philippines today. Now everyone in the country can have free access to Internet services for health, education, jobs and communication on the Smart network.

Here’s a photo of Jaime, a driver in Manila who uses Facebook and the Internet to stay in touch with loved ones who moved to Dubai.

When people are connected, they get access to new opportunities, and we all benefit from their contributions. The girls in this picture — Jessica, Janessa and Jussa from Puerto Princesa in the Philippines — did not have access to formal schooling, but thanks to mobile teachers and special apps, they’re learning to read and write.

More than one-half of the world is still offline. We want to change that, which is why we’re working to connect everyone through Internet.org. We’ve launched the Internet.org app in six countries, and nearly 7 million people have used it to get online for the first time.

Today, we’re launching the Internet.org app in the Philippines. People with a SMART SIM card will get free basic internet services — including BabyCenter, Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action – MAMA Global, The Girl Effect and Facts for Life. We hear so many inspiring stories from people using Internet.org around the world. Now it’s coming to Southeast Asia, and Filipinos like Jessica, Janessa and Jussa will be able to connect. I can’t wait to see what they achieve.